A French Wedding Blogger's Wedding - Amazing!

We're truly delighted to be able to share today's beautiful real wedding with you, not only does it come from the capital of romance, Paris, but it is also the wedding of a wedding blogger! Now that's a first for us, and quite the honour. Amelie the bride writes a wedding blog called Queen for a Day and her groom Christophe's family name translates to King, so the two were really playing king and queen for the day! Their incredibly sweet and unique outdoor celebration is one that will definitely inspire. They departed completely from the traditions of a typical French wedding and created something much more laid back and relaxed, with hints of their unique personalities sprinkled in. We're delighted to share Anne Claire Brun's beautiful photos of a magical day.

Amelie and Christophe lived just a few blocks away from each in Paris other for two years but never met until mutual friends introduced them. Amelie's best friend (whose boyfriend was Christophe's best friend) invited her to a sculpture workshop (tres romantic!) at Christophe's house.

According to Amelie "There was champagne, we laughed a lot and it was so much fun that we decided to continue the evening by having some pizza and drinks until the end of the night. Very soon, it became evident to the both of us that we couldn't stop seeing each other." So true love it was...

The couple opted for a first look before their ceremony, so the two could have some quiet moments alone together to settle the nerves before strolling up the aisle. I'm a sucker for first look photos and you'll see why...

Awwwww...

And from there they headed round the corner to the City Hall in Paris's third arrondissement to get hitched officially. There's something so chic about being married in Paris. I know they're Parisians, and it's home, but still... ooh la la!

After the official ceremony in City Hall, the second part of the wedding got underway - this was something quite different, essentially the two wanted to plan a wedding that was almost "anti-traditional", or at least a little less like typical French weddings. Instead, they set about creating an outdoor picnic wedding, with a small guest list at a romantic venue in the countryside close to Paris. What they wanted was something that's more common in the US, and Ireland now too, but not typical in France yet - everything outdoors, a food van, diy styling and pretty shabby chic romantic touches. It started with a second ceremony, this time, under the boughs of some beautiful blooming trees they sat with family, friends and one special four-legged pal, to plight their troth to one another...

Their dedication to their untraditional vision was a huge success... during the ceremony apparently even the photographer Anne Claire Brun was tearing up! "This anti traditional type of wedding is still very uncommon in France. I was afraid of the reactions people might have but I'm pretty sure that everyone enjoyed the festive and relaxed atmosphere! Many guests told us that it was the best wedding they have been to, which made us very proud!"

The chosen location was a venue called Emma's Barn with a beautiful garden, trees and woods. It had lots of space for the ceremony, an afternoon picnic, an evening dinner and finally a room for dancing the night away!

After the ceremony, Amelie and Christophe joined their guests on the lawn for a relaxed picnic. To make sure their guests didn't get too hungry, a food truck and some popcorn snacks! And for their love of tattoos - a whole suitcase of Tattly temporary tattoos!

Amelie's advice to those planning their weddings is simple and reflective of what she and Christophe managed to do, despite French tradition. "Have a wedding that's like you. A wedding you'd dream to attend. No matter what people say or think you should do."

Once darkness fell, the fairy lights came on, and the couple and their guests settled in down to an al fresco dinner that we imagine was a little more traditionally French - delicious and lasting for hours.

For their honeymoon, Amelie and Christophe spent three weeks in Mauritius and South Africa!

Congratulations, you two, and thank you for sharing your unique and utterly inspiring wedding with us. And of course, thank you to Anne Claire Brun for sharing these wonderful photos!